Try to image that the Nazis had staged The Jew of Malta during World War II. Discuss some of the reasons why they might have done so, and consider how the performance might have been staged.

Compare Marlowe's play with Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. In what ways are Shylock and Barabas similar? How are they different?

Consider the historical events in England in the last half of the sixteenth century. In what ways do these events influence Marlowe's play, especially the violence of the action?

Marlowe's primary theme is that of the corruption of man, especially with regard to religion.

Discuss the negative depictions of religion in The Jew of Malta.

Marlowe sets up two distinct groupings of people in The Jew of Malta. One group consists of the innocent younger generation: Abigail, Mathias, and Lodowick. On the other side, the older and more corrupt generation...